Daily News

Potvin Named Provost, VP for Academic Affairs at Springfield College

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Martha Potvin has been named provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Springfield College, beginning June 30. She brings more than 25 years of academic administrative experience to Springfield College.

Most recently, Potvin served as executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at Montana State University (MSU) since January 2011. Potvin also served as a professor in the Department of Ecology at MSU.

Nationally, she serves as board member of the Assoc. of Chief Academic Officers. Prior to MSU, Potvin served for 10 years as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Biology at the University of North Dakota. As dean, she was active in the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences and served on its board of directors for three years.

Potvin began her career as a faculty member at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. During her 16 years at that institution as an assistant, associate, and full professor, she served as chair of the department of Biology for 11 years and as interim dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Education.

Potvin has a bachelor’s degree in biology from UConn, a master’s degree in botany and plant ecology from Michigan State University, and a PhD from the University of Nebraska in ecology and evolutionary biology.